12 Traditional Pakistani Recipes Every Food Lover Must Try

Discover 12 authentic Pakistani recipes bursting with bold spices and rich flavors. Perfect for beginners, these dishes use simple ingredients like chicken, rice, and lentils to create hearty meals in under an hour. Start with chicken biryani for a crowd-pleasing classic!

Pakistani cuisine is a feast of vibrant flavors, blending spices, herbs, and love in every dish. It’s loved worldwide for its warmth and depth, but the long ingredient lists can intimidate new cooks. Don’t stress! These 12 traditional recipes are beginner-friendly, using pantry staples and easy steps. From creamy korma to sizzling seekh kebabs, you’ll master delicious meals that fit busy schedules or cozy dinners. Ready to explore Pakistan’s food magic? Let’s get cooking!

Key Spices for Pakistani Cooking

Pakistani recipes rely on a few core spices to create their signature taste. Stock these affordable staples, available at most grocery stores, to start cooking like a pro.

Spice	Flavor Profile	How to Use
Cumin	Earthy, warm	Toast 1 tsp seeds or use powder in curries
Coriander	Citrusy, mild	Add 1 tsp powder to marinades
Garam Masala	Rich, aromatic blend	Sprinkle 1/2 tsp at end of cooking
Red Chili Powder	Spicy kick	Use 1/4 tsp, adjust for heat
Turmeric	Golden color, mild	Add 1/2 tsp to rice or sauces

Tip: Store spices in airtight containers to keep them fresh. Always cook meat to safe temperatures (165°F for chicken) to avoid foodborne illness.USDA Food Safety

Recipe Overview Table

Choose your dish based on time, spice level, or servings. All are beginner-friendly!

Chana Masala

Recipe	Prep Time	10 min	30 min	Medium	4
9. Beef Korma	15 min	1 hour	Mild	4
10. Daal Chawal	10 min	30 min	Mild	4
11. Chapli Kebab	15 min	15 min	Medium	4
12. Sindhi Biryani	20 min	45 min	Medium	4

1. Chicken Biryani

This fragrant rice dish is Pakistan’s pride. Layered with spiced chicken and basmati, it’s festive yet doable. Beginners can nail it with a little patience.

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless chicken, cubed
• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 2 tbsp oil
• Spices: 1 tsp cumin, garam masala, turmeric, red chili
• Fresh cilantro, mint
• 4 cups water

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Rinse rice until water runs clear. Soak 20 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pot, fry onions until golden, 7 minutes.
3. Add ginger-garlic, tomatoes, spices, and chicken. Cook 5 minutes.
4. Add yogurt, cook until oil separates, 5 minutes.
5. Boil rice with 4 cups water until 70% cooked, 5 minutes. Drain.
6. Layer rice over chicken. Cover tightly, simmer 20 minutes on low.
7. Fluff, garnish with herbs. Serve with raita.

Tip: Use a heavy-bottomed pot to prevent sticking. This dish is a flavor explosion!BBC Good Food

2. Nihari

A slow-cooked beef stew with melt-in-your-mouth texture. Perfect for weekends when you want to impress. Serve with naan for ultimate comfort.

Ingredients

• 1 lb beef shank, cubed
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 tbsp oil
• Spices: 1 tsp cumin, coriander, red chili, garam masala
• 4 cups water
• Fresh cilantro, ginger slices

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat oil, fry onions until brown, 8 minutes.
2. Add ginger-garlic, beef, and spices. Cook 5 minutes.
3. Add water, simmer covered on low for 3-4 hours.
4. Mix flour with water to make slurry, stir in to thicken, 10 minutes.
5. Garnish with cilantro, ginger.
6. Serve hot with naan.

Patience is key—low heat makes it tender. A soul-warming classic.

3. Chicken Karahi

This wok-style curry is quick and bold, with juicy tomatoes and green chilies. It’s street food you can make at home in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken, bone-in or boneless
• 3 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 green chilies, sliced
• 1 tbsp ginger, julienned
• 2 tbsp oil
• Spices: 1 tsp cumin, coriander, red chili
• Cilantro for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat oil in a wok, add chicken, and cook 5 minutes.
2. Add tomatoes, spices, and chilies. Stir-fry 10 minutes.
3. Simmer until sauce thickens, 10 minutes.
4. Add ginger, cook 2 minutes.
5. Garnish with cilantro.
6. Serve with roti or naan.

Use high heat for that smoky vibe. So simple, yet so tasty!

4. Seekh Kebabs

Spiced ground meat skewers, grilled or pan-fried. Perfect for BBQs or appetizers. Easy to shape with wet hands.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef or chicken
• 1 onion, grated
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tsp each: cumin, coriander, garam masala
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp oil
• Fresh cilantro

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients except oil. Knead well.
2. Shape into long sausages around skewers.
3. Heat oil in a pan or grill, cook 10-12 minutes, turning often.
4. Check internal temp (165°F for chicken, 160°F for beef).
5. Garnish with cilantro.
6. Serve with mint chutney.

Don’t skip the egg—it binds perfectly. Juicy and addictive!

5. Aloo Gosht

A hearty potato and meat curry. Simple ingredients, big flavors. Great for batch cooking and freezing.

Ingredients

• 1 lb mutton or beef, cubed
• 2 potatoes, cubed
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
• Spices: 1 tsp cumin, turmeric, red chili
• 2 tbsp oil
• Water

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat oil, fry onions golden, 7 minutes.
2. Add ginger-garlic, tomatoes, spices, and meat. Cook 5 minutes.
3. Add 2 cups water, simmer 30 minutes.
4. Add potatoes, cook 15 minutes until tender.
5. Adjust seasoning.
6. Serve with rice.

Potatoes soak up the spices—pure comfort.Saveur

6. Haleem

A wholesome porridge of lentils, wheat, and meat. Slow-cooked for richness. Perfect for cozy nights or gatherings.

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb chicken or beef
• 1/2 cup mixed lentils (red, yellow)
• 1/4 cup cracked wheat
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic
• Spices: 1 tsp garam masala, cumin
• 2 tbsp oil
• Fried onions, lemon

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Soak lentils and wheat 1 hour.
2. Heat oil, fry onions, add meat, spices, ginger-garlic. Cook 5 minutes.
3. Add lentils, wheat, 5 cups water. Simmer 2 hours, stir often.
4. Mash into thick paste.
5. Garnish with fried onions, lemon.
6. Serve hot.

Use a pressure cooker to cut time. Nourishing and hearty!

7. Chicken Pulao

Lighter than biryani, this one-pot rice dish is quick and fragrant. Ideal for weeknights when you want something special.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken
• 1.5 cups basmati rice
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic
• Spices: 1 tsp cumin, cloves, cinnamon
• 2 tbsp oil
• 3 cups water

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Rinse rice, soak 15 minutes.
2. Heat oil, fry onions, add spices, chicken. Cook 5 minutes.
3. Add rice, water, and salt. Boil, then simmer 20 minutes.
4. Fluff gently.
5. Serve with yogurt.

Minimal effort, maximum flavor. A family favorite!

8. Chana Masala

Spicy chickpea curry, perfect as a main or side. Vegetarian and budget-friendly. Canned chickpeas make it a breeze.

Ingredients

• 2 cans (15 oz) chickpeas, drained
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, pureed
• 1 tbsp ginger-garlic
• Spices: 1 tsp cumin, coriander, amchur (mango powder)
• 2 tbsp oil

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat oil, fry onions until golden.
2. Add ginger-garlic, tomato puree, spices. Cook 5 minutes.
3. Add chickpeas, 1 cup water. Simmer 15 minutes.
4. Mash a few chickpeas for thickness.
5. Garnish with cilantro.
6. Serve with puri or rice.

Tangy and satisfying—great for meatless days.The Kitchn

9. Beef Korma

A creamy, nutty curry with tender beef. Mild and luxurious, it’s perfect for special occasions or date nights.

Ingredients

• 1 lb beef, cubed
• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 tbsp almond paste
• Spices: 1 tsp cardamom, garam masala, cumin
• 2 tbsp ghee
• Water

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Heat ghee, fry onions soft, 5 minutes.
2. Add beef, spices, yogurt. Cook 5 minutes.
3. Add 1 cup water, simmer 45 minutes.
4. Stir in almond paste, cook 10 minutes.
5. Adjust seasoning.
6. Serve with naan.

Ghee adds richness—worth it for the silky sauce.

10. Daal Chawal

Simple lentil stew with rice. Affordable, nutritious, and comforting. A Pakistani staple for any day.

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 cup basmati rice
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 tsp turmeric, cumin
• 2 tbsp oil
• 3 cups water
• Cilantro

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Rinse lentils, cook with water and turmeric 20 minutes.
2. Heat oil, fry onions with cumin, add to lentils.
3. Cook rice separately (1:1.5 water ratio).
4. Season lentils.
5. Serve lentils over rice, garnish.

Quick and soul-soothing—perfect for beginners.

11. Chapli Kebab

Flat, spicy beef patties from Peshawar. Pan-fried and flavorful. Great for burgers or wraps.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 tsp chili flakes, coriander
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp oil

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients, form flat patties.
2. Heat oil, fry patties 4-5 minutes per side.
3. Drain on paper towels.
4. Serve with chutney or naan.

Chop veggies fine for even texture. Street-food vibes!

12. Sindhi Biryani

A spicier cousin to chicken biryani, with potatoes and dried plums for extra zing. A festive treat.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken
• 2 cups basmati rice
• 2 potatoes, cubed
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 5 dried plums
• Spices: 1 tsp cumin, red chili, garam masala
• 2 tbsp oil

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Soak rice 20 minutes.
2. Fry onions, add chicken, spices, yogurt, plums, potatoes. Cook 10 minutes.
3. Boil rice until 70% done, drain.
4. Layer rice over chicken mixture.
5. Cover, simmer 20 minutes.
6. Serve with raita.

Plums add sweet-tart magic. A showstopper!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the easiest Pakistani recipe for beginners?

Daal Chawal is your go-to. It’s a simple lentil stew with rice, using minimal spices and one pot. You’ll nail it first try.

Can I make these without special equipment?

Yes! A basic pan or pot works for most. For slow-cooked dishes like Nihari, a stovetop simmer is fine if you don’t have a slow cooker.

How do I store leftovers safely?

Cool dishes quickly, store in airtight containers in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat to 165°F. Freeze for up to 2 months.USDA Food Safety

Are Pakistani dishes too spicy for kids?

Many, like Chicken Pulao or Korma, are mild. Reduce chili powder for kids and adjust to taste at the table.

What sides pair well with these recipes?

Naan, roti, or basmati rice are classics. Add raita or a cucumber salad for freshness and balance.

Can I use chicken instead of beef in these recipes?

Yes, swap beef for chicken in most dishes like Nihari or Korma. Adjust cooking time—chicken cooks faster.

Where can I find Pakistani spices affordably?

Check local ethnic stores or online retailers. Store brands are fine for beginners and cost less.

These 12 traditional Pakistani recipes bring the heart of Pakistan to your kitchen. With easy steps and everyday ingredients, you’re set to create meals that burst with flavor. Start with Chicken Pulao for a quick win or dive into Nihari for a weekend project. Cooking is about joy, so don’t fear mistakes—just stir, taste, and enjoy. Which recipe will you try first? Share below and let’s swap stories. Happy cooking!